A day in the life of an AAFES Employee

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Micaiah Anthony
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Light peeks over the horizon of an empty parking lot as the sun rises. A few moments pass and vehicles begin to trickle onto the concrete plane. Quick hellos and good mornings are swapped as individuals depart the emptiness of the parking lot and head through a sliding glass door.

Many Airmen and their families visit The Exchange at Barksdale Air Force Base daily but few know what life as an Army and Air Force Exchange Service employee is really like.

"We have a mission just like any other organization on base," said Ret. Master Sgt. Perry Boutelle, AAFES inventory control specialist. "We are here to support all of our military personnel and their families."

To start things off, AAFES employees set up registers, take inventory, restock displays and ensure their sections are ready to go.

Lendoria Stanton, AAFES food court manager, does everything from baking bread to washing dishes to help her employees out during the morning setup.

"I get here early so I can help set-up the restaurants," said Stanton. "There is a lot of work to do, but I like to help my employees prepare for a busy day."

Once open, the exchange serves all military members, retirees and their families, which can be a daunting task with more than 16,000 people living and working on Barksdale. However, the 208 exchange employees are ready and proud to serve the base populace.

"It is an honor to be able to work here at the exchange," said Sema Trost, AAFES sales manager. "As a military dependent I always wanted to do something to give back and help the military community. Now I am able to do it on a daily basis. I truly enjoy what I do."

AAFES employees not only love their job but they also like to motivate each other.

"I try to set the example for my employees by giving off a positive energy so it can transfer through everyone else," said Stanton. "In the long run, they'll treat the customers like kings and queens."

Around lunchtime the exchange comes alive with the sound of shopping carts clanking through the aisles and Airmen filling the food court. Some of the rush can be attributed to an event called 'Power Hour.'

"From 11 a.m. to 1 .pm. we have 'Power Hour,' where we put certain items on sale," said Trost. "The event brings in a lot of customers which is really great; some come just for the sales."

After the rush, many employees can be found restocking shelves, helping customers and ensuring the store maintains its high standards.

"Even when it is slow there is still a lot to do," said Stanton. "We always make sure we have enough food prepped, plus we ensure everything is clean. AAFES has a higher standard when it comes to food quality and cleanliness. Airmen can rest assured when it comes to dining at the exchange's food court."

Around closing time, employees finish cleaning and start closing down their sections, but not at the cost of their customers.

"We always notify customers 15 minutes before closing time," said Trost. "Even after we are closed, we allow our customers more time to finish their shopping so they don't feel rushed."

With 117 years of AAFES service, the men and women of the Barksdale exchange are ready to serve both here and abroad.